The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show-cause notices to 17 major private school networks for allegedly abusing their dominant market position by forcing parents to buy overpriced, logo-branded notebooks, workbooks and uniforms from school-authorised suppliers.
According to the inquiry, many of these schools bundle compulsory supply purchases with enrolment, restrict students from using generic alternatives, and assign exclusive vendors — practices that the CCP says amount to unfair ‘tying’ in violation of the Competition Act, 2010.
The schools named in the action include Beaconhouse School System, The City School, Lahore Grammar School, Roots Millennium Schools, and others. These institutions collectively serve millions of students nationwide.
In its notice the CCP said the practice of requiring parents to purchase branded supplies “restricted market access, harmed small retailers and limited consumer choice” — in some cases study packs were priced up to 280 % higher than generic alternatives in open market.
Under the law, these schools face penalties of up to 10 % of their annual turnover or Rs 750 million, whichever is higher — should the CCP find the practices unlawful.